New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-01
4 CRAVE CONTINGENCY DISCUSSED

Pusillanimons talk in regard to a war with
Great Britain over fisheries Outragcs should not
be encouraged. IL Is true that the country ha-
defcncele<s scaboard which, in the event o,
hostiIitcs with a foreign Power, would invite
invasion. 1t is also true that the United States
Navy is in a deVloIablc condition. and would
DO unable to make stand against
the fleets OF Great Britain The de-
fcnceless condition Of the scaboard and
the weakness of the Navy are indispuabe
facts. Tho fisheries controversy will serve a
most useful purpose. if it stimulate legislative
activity in providing adequate measures OF Ma
tonal defence. Too great stres, cannot be laid
upon the necessity for legislation ON these i'm
portant subjects. Congress ought to be forced
by public opinion to make adequate appropria-
tons for tho manufacture of heavy ordnance.
the adoption Of complete system Of harbor
defence and tho creation Of powerful Navy.
1t is not necessary however, for the press TO
e>aggcratc the weakness Of the country and TO
make q craven exhibition Of American helpless
neS.
Defcnceless as is the scabOard and antiqulted
as is tho Navy, it is nevertheless true that this
country is better prepared for a war over the
nSnCllCS OulTHRcS tUdU TSHSldHu ~ " -
Aay this, not in bOastful spirit, but as the Ic-
suit Of deliberate reflection. The southern
frontier of the Dominion is certainly as exposed
TO attack from the volunteer land forces which
this country could Mt once put into the field, "a
the American scabOard is TO hostile naval
demonstrations. Every wanton act committed
on tho coast-the bombardmcnt of dcfcncclcss
towns and the firing of cities could be repeated
on Canadian territory in spirit of retaliation.
great army could be recruited for an active
campaign in Ontario, and with population OF
GO,OOO.OOO TO draw upon, with an unI1vallcd
financial credit throughout the world and with
every human industry cs'abli he'd under wise
system of Protection, the issue would not long
bc in doubt The absence Of q fleet would OK
pose the country 10 great hazards but it would
bc a contest mainly between land forces on the
northern frontier In such a campaign Great
Britain would lie at q scrious disadvantage.
In another respect the position Of tho United
States would be altogether superior. There
would 10 a united population here, whereas
England would have an 1riAh revolution TO
grapple with at home. No prophet is needed TO
forctcll one result OF declaration Of war
between England and the United States.
large proportion OF the BRUSH army would De
Immediately required for active garrison duty
in Ireland. Not only would Irishmcn refuse
TO take UP arms against the United States. but
they would alSo plot increasingly against tho
Crown and strive to establish an Irish Rcpub-
lie. From war involving the probable loss
of Canada and Ireland Great Britain, not Amcri-
ca has reason to shrink.
No more deplorabc event can be imagined
than intcrnecine strife between the English
speaking races that are separated 10y the At
lantc, but bound together Icy indissoublc tics,
We believe that on each side moral and indus
trial forces, alike powerful in preventing the
outbreak OF war. will continue to make for
peace in this generation and for century in
reserve. 1t is unnecessary, however, for great
Nation OF GO.OOO,OOo people TO proclaim iis
abject helplc sncss in the event of war That
is craven and pusillanimous policy.